Six devoted dogs trailed the ambulance that transported their owner, Luiz, a homeless man who had suffered a sudden stroke, to the Santa Casa Hospital in Cianorte, southern Brazil. They stayed with him for over 24 hours.

A poignant video captures the moment these dedicated canines ran behind the ambulance for miles until they reached the hospital’s emergency entrance, panting from the effort.

Image source: Amigos De Pasas – FocusON News

Despite Luiz’s sudden health scare, the dogs refused to leave the hospital’s entrance.

Simone Ziliane, a volunteer, recounted how the dogs trailed the ambulance that brought Luiz in and then vocalized their distress for hours outside the hospital.

Although Luiz was discharged the next day, he exited from another door, unbeknownst to his loyal companions.

Image source: Amigos De Pasas – FocusON News

Considering them as family, Luiz’s dogs remained, waiting for his return. They only left once he came to retrieve them.

Simone shared with G1:

“The dogs were desperate. They darted after the ambulance through the streets and were right there as Luiz was admitted to the hospital. The moment they saw him being taken away, they became frantic and howled nonstop at the entrance. After a while, they just lay down and stayed. When we realized Luiz had been discharged and the dogs were unaware, one of our volunteers fetched him from his brother’s place and brought him to where the dogs had been patiently waiting. Luiz was not entirely surprised, even though he didn’t know they’d been there the whole time.”

Image source: Amigos De Pasas – FocusON News